It has been a year since I wrote my last series of blogs about Southern, Northern, and Northwestern Chinese restaurants in Houston. I am amazed at how much the Chinese restaurant scene has evolved over the past year. Some of the restaurants I recommended, such as Courtyard Cuisine (3412 Hwy 6 Ste. A, Sugar Land), have unfortunately closed their doors. However, this past year has also seen the arrival of a variety of newly opened restaurants offering delicious and distinctive Chinese dishes. Here’s a guide to some of these new spots in H-Town:
1. Close to Rice’s campus
Duck n Bao
5215 Kelvin Dr, Houston, 77005
Average: $20–$30
Duck n Bao serves a mix of Americanized dishes alongside authentic Cantonese cuisine. I highly recommend their Stir-Fried Flat Rice Noodles with Beef and Signature Lo Mein, both staples of Guangdong (Cantonese) cooking. The pork-filled Bao (steamed buns) is another standout–its tender and flavorful bite is excellent!
Spicy Deep-Fried Pork Intestines, Triple Pepper
Triple Pepper
1915 W Gray St Suite A, Houston, 77019
Average: $20–$40
Located closer to Rice than its Chinatown counterpart, Triple Pepper specializes in Sichuan cuisine and provides a cozy atmosphere with modern Chinese décor. I tried their Salt & Pepper Fish Fillets, Spicy Deep-Fried Pork Intestines, and Dry-Fried Green Beans — all authentically prepared and delicious. My friends recommended their Ants Climbing a Tree (stir-fried glass noodles with minced pork), Twice-Cooked Pork, and Three Pepper Chicken, which I plan to try next time.
Big Plate Chicken, Turan Uyghur Kitchen
2. In Chinatown
Turan Uyghur Kitchen
9330 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, 77036
Average: $20–$40
If you recall my last blog about Northwest Chinese cuisine, I noted Houston’s lack of a Xinjiang-focused restaurant. The newly opened Turan Uyghur Kitchen fills this gap, offering a taste of Xinjiang’s rich culinary diversity. Begin your meal with Samsa (baked lamb buns), lamb kebabs, or lamb soup. For mains, try their Big Plate Chicken (an extra-large platter of chicken and noodles), Boiled Lamb, Uyghur Polo (lamb and rice), or Fried Naan with Beef. Noodle lovers will adore the Laghman (traditional Xinjiang noodles in tomato sauce), Gyro Lagman (fried noodles with beef or mutton), and Pearl Noodles (diced noodles). To balance the richness of these dishes, why not order the refreshing Tiger Salad (onion-based salad)? End your meal with their homemade Xinjiang Yogurt — a tangy treat with a variety of sweet toppings.
Qilu Beef Soup
9284 Bellaire Blvd, Houston, 77036
Average: $15–$20
Qilu Beef Soup brings Shandong cuisine, the only Northern China cuisine listed in the eight Great Traditions of Regional and Provincial Cuisines of China, to Houston for the first time. While the menu focuses primarily on Shandong-style noodles, it provides a great introduction to the region’s culinary heritage. Their signature Beef Soup, Mixed Beef Offal Soup, and Braised Beef Noodles are must-tries. The restaurant also offers savory pastries like Beef Flatbread and Homemade Fried Dough. Don’t miss the variety of cold dishes (often referred to as “liqueur snacks”), such as Fried Peanuts, Pickled Garlic, Spicy Shredded Potato, Beef Tripe in Chili Oil, and Braised Pork Ear.
Beef Soup, Braised Beef Noodles, and beef flatbread, Qilu Beef Soup
3. In Greater Houston
Li’s Potstickers
4565 Hwy 6 I, Sugar Land, 77478
Average: $15–$25
Flour-based dishes shine at this cozy eatery. The Snowflake Potstickers are a must-order, featuring an intricate, crispy “snowflake” crust that’s both stunning and delicious. Another flour-based delight I ordered was Beef Wraps, which combine crispy flatbread with juicy, flavorful beef. You cannot go wrong with any dish if you love dumplings, buns, or wraps.
Conclusion:
As I’m finishing this blog, a friend told me about a new dumpling spot soft-opening in the Texas Medical Center area: 88 Dumpling House (8017 Main Street, Suite 250). Houston’s Chinese food scene continues to flourish, with exciting new restaurants popping up nearly every quarter. Let’s keep exploring and enjoying these culinary treasures together!
About the author:
Bohan Zhang is from Beijing, China and is a current Ph.D. candidate in History. He received his B.A. in history at Tsinghua University in 2020. Read more.
Further Reading:
Houston’s Northwest China Cuisine Map
Houston’s Southern China Cuisine Map
Houston’s Northern China Cuisine Map